**Executive Summary**
On March 1, 2026, the Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the centenary celebrations of St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School in Pathanapuram, Kollam, Kerala. During the event, the Vice-President emphasized the importance of value-based education, a nationwide movement against drug abuse, and cultivating critical thinking and integrity. He also connected the school's legacy with the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inauguration and Key Messages:**
* The Vice-President inaugurated the centenary celebrations of St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School in Kollam.
* He emphasized value-based education rooted in character and integrity.
* He advocated for a nationwide mass movement against drug abuse.
* He stated healthy political competition is essential for serving society.
* He stressed education should go beyond textbooks, cultivating critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity.
* **Vice-President's Address:**
* He highlighted the school's 100-year legacy of shaping minds and nurturing character.
* He urged students to say "No to Drugs" and emphasized that the campaign against drug abuse must become a mass movement.
* He linked the institution's legacy with the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and the importance of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
* He stated India in 2047 would be shaped by the ideas and initiatives of today's students, calling on them to seek not just personal success but also to create a positive impact on society.
* He hoped the school would embrace modern educational advancements while remaining rooted in moral and cultural foundations, and continue producing responsible citizens committed to nation-building.
* **Commemorative Actions:**
* The Vice-President paid floral tributes at the holy tomb of the Four Metropolitans located at Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram.
* **Attendees:**
* The centenary celebrations were attended by various dignitaries, including the Governor of Kerala, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Tourism, Ministers of the Government of Kerala, members of Parliament, and religious leaders.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students**
* **Impact:** They are called upon to uphold values, actively participate in the fight against drug abuse, and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
* **Action Required:** Uphold the values imparted by their school, say "No to Drugs," and seek to make a positive impact on society through their ideas and initiatives.
**St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School**
* **Impact:** The school is recognized for its 100-year legacy and its contribution to education and character building.
* **Action Required:** Continue to embrace modern educational advancements, remain rooted in moral and cultural foundations, and produce responsible citizens committed to nation-building.
**Society**
* **Impact:** Society is expected to benefit from value-based education, a reduction in drug abuse, and a stronger sense of national identity and purpose.
* **Action Required:** Support the nationwide movement against drug abuse, promote healthy political competition, and contribute to the realization of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Key Entities Referenced
Viksit Bharat by 2047: National vision for India's development and progress.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: A vision to make India self-reliant and independent.
St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School: The educational institution in Kollam, Kerala, celebrating its centenary.
Kollam, Kerala: Location of the centenary celebrations of St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President Inaugurates Centenary
Celebrations of St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary
School, Kollam, Kerala
A Century of Shaping Minds: Vice President Hails St.
Stephen’s 100-Year Legacy
Vice President Calls for Value-Based Education Rooted in
Character and Integrity
Vice-President Calls for Nationwide Mass Movement Against
Drug Abuse
Healthy Political Competition Essential for Serving Society:
Vice-President
Education must go beyond textbooks and cultivate critical
thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity: Vice President
Posted On: 01 MAR 2026 5:27PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the centenary celebrations of St.
Stephen’s Higher Secondary School in Pathanapuram , Kollam today.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the centenary celebrations
of St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School, Pathanapuram, Kollam, Kerala hailing
its 100-year legacy as “A Century of Shaping Minds.”
The Vice President urged students to say “No to Drugs.” He described… pic.twitt
er.com/HjxxwjgTtn
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) March 1, 2026
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President described the completion of 100 years as a “remarkable
milestone” achieved by very few institutions. He noted that the school has spent a century shaping minds,
nurturing character, and building futures, with generations of students emerging as responsible citizens,
leaders, professionals, and compassionate human beings.The Vice-President emphasized that the true strength of any institution lies not in its infrastructure but in
its values.He underlined that the celebration was not only about the past but also about the future. In a
rapidly changing world driven by technology and innovation, he said education must go beyond textbooks
and cultivate critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and integrity. He encouraged students to dream big,
work hard, remain humble, and uphold the values imparted by their school.
The Vice-President urged students to say “No to Drugs.” He described drug abuse as one of the biggest
curses afflicting society and stressed that the campaign against drug use must become a mass movement
cutting across religions, languages, and political parties.
He also said that healthy competition among political parties to serve society is a positive and welcome
development.
Connecting the institution’s legacy with the national vision, he said that under the leadership of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving forward with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He also
highlighted the importance of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The Vice-President observed that the India of 2047 will be shaped by the ideas and initiative of today’s
students. He called upon them to seek not just personal success but also to create a positive impact on
society.
Describing the centenary as a time of renewal, he expressed hope that as the school enters its second
century, it will embrace modern educational advancements while remaining rooted in its moral and
cultural foundations. He urged the institution to continue producing not only academic achievers but also
responsible citizens committed to nation-building.
Highlighting Kerala’s strong emphasis on education and social development, the Vice-President noted that
institutions like St. Stephen’s High School have significantly contributed to the state’s educational
reputation.
Concluding his address, the Vice President said the centenary year should be marked by meaningful
programmes that honor the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future.
The Vice President also paid Floral tributes at the holy tomb of the Four Metropolitans located at Mount
Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram.
The centenary celebrations were attended by Governor of Kerala, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar ,
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Tourism, Govt. of India, Shri Suresh Gopi,
Minister for Transport, Govt. of Kerala, Shri K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Finance Minister of Kerala, Shri K. N.
Balagopal, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri Kodikunnil Suresh, Catholicos of the East, Baselios
Marthoma Mathews III, Metropolitan, Kollam Diocese, Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, Superior, Mount Tabor
Diara, Younan Samuel Ramban, Secretary, Mount Tabor Diara, Philip Mathew and other dignitaries.
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